H = Hambletonian eligible
Saturday, July 7’s Yonkers Trot and Hudson Filly Trot find
the aiming-for-August groups squaring off in big stakes. But on Friday, July 6,
and Saturday, fillies fight and colts grapple at the Meadowlands, Pocono and
Hazel Park. (Note that the Hudson Filly Trot is a non-wagering stakes event.)
World champion Googoo Gaagaa drew post 1 for the Yonkers
Trot, worth $445,594. The ruling glamour-boy trotter who is not eligible to the
coveted classic is the son of a pacing sire (Cam’s Rocket) and has won 11 of
his 12 starts and $345,945. Googoo Gaagaa comes to the half-mile track off a
1:50.4 win—the fastest ever over a five-eighths mile oval—in the Earl Beal Jr.
Memorial Final at Pocono.
The potential giant killers include Stormin Normand
(H-Broadway Hall), Market Share (H-Revenue S), Muscolo (H-Muscles Yankee) and
Archangel (H-Credit Winner).
The best anyone playing against “Googoo” can hope for is a
shuffling speed duel between Googoo, Market Share and Archangel. The latter has
been a speedball in New York-bred events and Market Share loves the top. So, as
fast as Googoo can fly, those two could burn him enough to make room for
Stormin Normand to close, either in the inner lane or wide late.
The companion event, the Hudson Filly Trot, has only three
soph fillies but is worth $185,194 and goes as a non-wagering event. Still
considering a challenge for the boys, millionairess Check Me Out (H-Donato Hanover), last season's
divisional champ, scared away all but Real Babe (H-Donato Hanover) and Aunt Mel
(H-Yankee Glide).
At Hazel Park a sweet trio, so to speak, of Chocolatier
progeny vie for spots in next week’s William Connors Final. Looking to add some
money to their accounts while they eye a spot at the classic, the first $10,000
elim features Ghirardelli Lindy (H-Chocolatier) and Duluth (H-Chocolatier). We
liked Duluth earlier in the season, going against better in a New Jersey Sires
Stakes, and although an appearance in the Hambo is, at best, a longshot, he
could have it all over this soft group.
In the second split you only have to look at Mr. Candyman
(H-Chocolatier) and decide if he is worth the wager, being the classiest here,
which is going to be obvious.
Saturday at the Meadowlands, five colts take to the track in
a $46,452 W.N. Reynolds stake. This mile features the soph debut of last year’s
frosh-colt trot champ, Possess The Will (H-Donato Hanover).
If he is ready, he is primed to go a big mile and then race
conservatively over the next month to be fresh for his big target, the Hambo.
His biggest foe, should he care to be challenged, will be Lightning Storm
(H-Donato Hanover), who has been far better than expected in four starts,
winning half of them quite quickly.
Also here are Power Play (H-Donato Hanover), Money On My
Mind (H-Cantab Hall) and Modern Family (H-Cantab Hall).
Friday’s Reynolds is for the fillies with two divisions
worth $28,426 each. Win Missy B (Conway Hall) is coming from a decent win but
may not deserve favorite status. Certainly Temple Blue Chip (H-Cantab Hall) is
rounding into winning form and will be an overlay.
Also here are Quarentine S (Varenne), D’Orsay (H-Yankee
Glide), Riverfest and Chocoholic (Chocolatier).
The second split hands a 3-5 morning line to Maven
(H-Glidemaster), which sets us off on Chocolatta De Vie (H-Chocolatier). She
will be greatly overlooked and could surprise at a mighty price.
Three $50,000 Pennsylvania All Stars splits go on July 7 at
Pocono, featuring fields larger that the Yonkers Trot with many Hambo hopefuls.
Fashion Astral (H-Broadway Hall) has not been too sharp but
from the rail in division one may be able to control the fractions and finally
get that first soph win. Also here are Fogelberg (SJ’s Caviar) and Another
Amaretto (H-Andover Hall), with Bullvillcomeonjohn, Boytown, Redder Than Red
and Upfront Billy.
In division two we once again like Frost Bites K (H-Broadway
Hall). Even the races he has lost, six of 10, have been good races and here he
is not up against anywhere near as much as he has taken on this season.
Also here are Astarisborn Hanover (H-Donato Hanover),
Nothing But Class (H-Andover Hall).Can Do, Celebrity Hall, Hawaiian Caviar, The
Big Thea Thea and Beluga Ridge.
The nightcap features another shot for Uncle Peter (H-Cantab
Hall), who has been uneven while facing the likes of Googoo Gaagaa. He needs to
win this for a few reasons and may be able to with a smooth gait as he is up
against four second-tier hopefuls: Solvato (H-Donato Hanover), Lindys Jersey
Boy (H-Cantab Hall), Pekoe Fashion (H-Broadway Hall), as well as Mr Ridgetaker,
Mikesbrotherfrank, Pilgrims Power and On The Podium.
Get to TwinSpires
for wagering all of the great races leading to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” and
read all the result stories at Hambletonian
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